With a lever, cog-wheels, and a running chain after the pattern of the cycle chain, one could----" "And ball bearings," suggested Compton, slyly.
"Yes; and ball bearings--the friction would be reduced, and we could get more power out of a screw and propeller than we could from four paddles." "You may be right," said Mr.Hume, thoughtfully.
"We don't want to take a large party, and I confess the water transport has bothered me very much.

The wind-mill, I am afraid, we must leave to some other time, but the other part of your scheme is worth placing before practical men, and I will give you a letter to a friend of mine who had a boat built on the Thames." Venning saw the friend the very next day; the friend gave him an introduction to a member of a great firm of torpedo-boat builders on the Thames, and this gentleman very kindly gave the matter five minutes' attention.
"Your idea, eh ?" said the great designer.

"Explain what advantage you expect to gain." "Less labour in working than with paddles, and greater speed." "Humph! Well, my lad, you leave the matter with me, and I will report.

You can look over the yards if you like." Venning spent the rest of the morning among the wicked-looking sharks of the Navy, and he went back depressed with the thought that his "sneak-box" was merely a plaything.

However, he picked up confidence when the next day brought an offer from the builders to turn out an aluminium sneak-box in three divisions, with capacity for a crew of six, to be worked on occasion by two men pulling at levers, driving the propeller by means of endless chains and cog- wheels, the gear to be made of best oil-tempered nickel-steel, with hardened ball bearings.